Soccer is the most popular sport in the world. Over 250 million people across the globe play professionally or recreationally, making up around 4% of the global population – and soccer isn’t just fun. It also provides players with a range of benefits, including improved brain function and a potential career.
Here are five benefits of playing soccer.
It Can Improve Brain Function
One of the main benefits of playing soccer is that is can help to improve brain function. Not many people are aware of this, but it is true, and it is due to the erratic nature of the game. The ball is always moving from player to player, and it rarely travels in a straight line, so players need superior coordination skills to ensure they are always moving towards the ball. Over time this will improve your hand-eye coordination and your decision-making skills, both of which can help to improve overall brain function.
It Will Boost Overall Cardiovascular Health
Soccer is an intensely physical game, with most players continually moving for an hour or more. This can be physically demanding (in fact, the average player runs at least seven miles during a game!), but it will also help to boost your cardiovascular health.
It Can Improve Both Bone and Muscle Strength
Usually, when people think about growing their muscles, they imagine lifting weights in the gym – but it is also possible to improve bone and muscle strength on the pitch. The kicking and running will help to grow your legs (which is perfect for people who hate leg day at the gym!), and your upper body will also grow if you regularly hold off your opponents.
It Can Take You to University
If you are a dedicated, talented amateur player and you want to go to university, soccer might be able to help you. It is possible to get ASM soccer scholarships to help cover the costs of university, which is ideal for families with a tight budget. And the savings are impressive, with many students saving around $40,000 every year on tuition fees. The key here is to balance your studies along with your soccer practice because falling behind in one could mean you lose the scholarship.
It Can Give You A Career
If you are lucky enough to secure a football scholarship and you play well throughout university, soccer could become a full-time job for you. There are tens of thousands of professional players across the globe, and they are paid well for their efforts – in fact, the minimum salary for reserve players in MLS teams is over $63,000 a year, which is very impressive!
It Can Improve Mental Health
Finally playing soccer can help to improve your mental health. This is because physical exercise releases serotonin and endorphins, which are commonly known as ‘feel-good’ chemicals. And that isn’t the only thing about soccer that will boost your mood; the sense of comradery with your teammates will also increase your serotonin levels. So when you finish playing, it is very likely that you will notice an improved mood and reduced stress levels.
